Who to Fire in Hitman 3: The Ultimate Guide to Royce’s Downfall

The correct sequence of firings in Hitman 3, specifically during the “End of an Era” mission in Chongqing, after Imogen Royce returns to the data core, is: Jeremy Bolt, Alicia Reynolds, then Sharon Reed. This is the most direct way to achieve a specific, and rather ironic, assassination of Royce involving a safety override. However, the beauty of Hitman lies in its flexibility – there are always multiple ways to achieve your objective. But if you’re aiming for this particular method, stick to this firing order.

Understanding the “End of an Era” Scenario

The “End of an Era” mission throws you into the heart of a corporate power struggle, tasking you with eliminating Imogen Royce and Hush. Royce, a data prodigy, is deeply entrenched in the inner workings of the ICA’s data facility in Chongqing. The ability to manipulate her environment by firing employees makes for an intricate and satisfying assassination opportunity.

The core of this strategy lies in exploiting the facility’s safety protocols. Royce has programmed the data core to cleanse itself in the event of a security breach, essentially frying everything inside – including herself. However, safety mechanisms are in place to prevent accidental (or intentional) self-destruction. Your job is to disable these mechanisms and trigger the cleansing, resulting in a highly poetic demise for Royce.

Why the Firing Order Matters

Each employee has a specific role to play in this deadly game of corporate chess.

• Alicia Reynolds: Her primary function is to disable the safety mechanisms. Firing her triggers this crucial step, removing the failsafe that would otherwise protect Royce from the data core cleanse. Without Reynolds’ actions, the attempt to eliminate Royce will fail.

• Jeremy Bolt: Firing Bolt serves a dual purpose. Firstly, he creates a distraction by calling Royce’s bodyguard. This temporarily removes the bodyguard from the equation, making the subsequent firing (and resulting chaos) easier to manage. Secondly, firing him puts in motion the events leading to firing of the other employees.

• Sharon Reed: Reed’s dismissal is the final trigger. Firing her initiates the data core cleanse. With the safety mechanisms disabled by Reynolds, the cleanse becomes lethal to anyone inside, namely Royce.

Firing the employees in any other order will not result in the desired outcome. For instance, firing Reed before Reynolds would simply initiate a safe cleanse, leaving Royce unharmed. Firing Bolt last is not useful as the other events already transpire.

Beyond the Firing Order: Other Elimination Methods

While the employee firing sequence offers a unique and satisfying kill, Hitman 3 provides a plethora of other ways to eliminate Royce and Hush.

• The All-Seeing Eyes Mission Story: This mission story leads you to a meeting point between Royce and Hush. A strategically placed shot to a nearby gas can during their meeting will result in a simultaneous explosion, fulfilling the “Eliminate Hush and Imogen Royce in one explosion” challenge.

• Cooling Down: You can disguise yourself as Royce’s guard and, during her rounds around the Core, push her into the coolant when she leans on the rail. This fulfills the “Eliminate Imogen Royce by drowning her in the core’s coolant” challenge.

• Hush’s Brain Overload: Manipulate the experimental procedure on Hush.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I fire the employees before Royce goes back down to the core room?

No. The firing sequence is designed to be executed after Royce has returned to the data core. Firing them prematurely will disrupt the intended chain of events and likely result in a failed assassination attempt.

2. What happens if I accidentally kill one of the employees?

Killing an employee will obviously prevent you from firing them. This will derail the plan to eliminate Royce using the safety override. You’ll need to resort to other methods of assassination.

3. Is there a specific disguise I need to wear to fire the employees?

No, you do not need a specific disguise to fire the employees. As long as you have access to Royce’s office and the firing terminal, you can initiate the sequence regardless of your disguise. However, a guard disguise might make it easier to navigate the facility and avoid suspicion.

4. How do I access Royce’s office?

Accessing Royce’s office can be achieved through various methods, including obtaining a keycard, using a disguise that grants access, or finding an alternate route through vents or windows.

5. Can I eliminate Royce using other methods while still completing the employee firing sequence?

Yes, absolutely! The employee firing sequence is just one of many assassination opportunities. You can combine it with other strategies or choose to ignore it altogether. Hitman is all about player choice.

6. Does difficulty level affect the employee firing sequence?

No, the difficulty level does not affect the core mechanics of the employee firing sequence. However, it may impact the alertness of guards and the availability of resources, making it more challenging to execute the plan successfully.

7. What are the challenges associated with the “End of an Era” mission?

The “End of an Era” mission features numerous challenges, including assassinating Royce and Hush in specific ways, completing mission stories, and achieving specific feats of stealth and precision.

8. Where can I find a screwdriver to unlock the vent in the Data Core?

Screwdrivers can be found in various locations throughout the Chongqing facility. Look in maintenance areas, security rooms, and near electrical equipment.

9. How do I distract Royce’s bodyguard after firing Jeremy Bolt?

Firing Jeremy Bolt automatically triggers a phone call that distracts Royce’s bodyguard. You don’t need to do anything further.

10. Can I save and reload during the employee firing sequence?

Yes, you can save and reload at any point during the mission. This is highly recommended, especially if you’re attempting a complex assassination strategy.

11. Is there a silent assassin rating achievable with the employee firing method?

Yes, achieving a Silent Assassin rating is possible even with the employee firing method. You’ll need to ensure that you are not seen, leave no trace, and only eliminate your intended targets.

12. What is the fastest way to complete the “End of an Era” mission?

The “End of an Era” mission offers various speedrunning strategies. Many involve exploiting glitches or using specific weapons and tactics to quickly eliminate Royce and Hush.

13. Does the order of targets matter when eliminating Royce and Hush?

The order in which you eliminate Royce and Hush does not affect the completion of the mission. You can choose to eliminate either target first, or even eliminate them simultaneously.

14. Are there any alternative routes to access the data core other than through the vents?

Yes, there are multiple ways to access the data core. You can obtain a keycard, use a disguise that grants access, or find an unguarded entrance. Exploring the environment is key to discovering these alternative routes.

15. Can I learn more about game design from a academic perspective?

Absolutely! The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great resource for understanding the educational aspects of game design and learning. The Games Learning Society promotes research on how games and simulations can be used to enhance learning and engagement.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of the Hit

The “End of an Era” mission in Hitman 3 is a masterclass in interactive storytelling and emergent gameplay. The employee firing sequence offers a uniquely satisfying and ironic method of eliminating Imogen Royce, showcasing the depth and complexity of the Hitman series. By understanding the mechanics of the game, exploring the environment, and experimenting with different strategies, you can become a true master of the hit. Good luck, Agent 47.